Explainers News
Pakistan National Assembly dissolved: What happens next in the crisis-hit nation?
Pakistan’s parliament has been dissolved, paving the way for the next elections. But the polls, which are meant to be held in 90 days, will be delayed. With Imran Khan barred from contesting, who will come to power in the country?
What is Maya OS, the new operating system that India’s defence ministry is migrating to?
The Ministry of Defence is replacing the current operating systems in their computers with indigenously built Maya. This system is built on the open-source Ubuntu platform and comes amid an increasing number of cyberattacks targeting defence establishments and other critical infrastructure
Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on Bharat Mata expunged. What does this mean?
On Wednesday, Day 2 of the no-confidence motion against PM Modi, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the government, accusing them of setting Manipur and the country on fire. Later, the Speaker ordered that parts of the Congress leader’s speech be expunged. How does this work?
NASA says Mars is spinning faster and faster. Here’s what we know
The findings, published in the journal Nature, come from data sent by the InSight Mars Lander which went dark after running out of power in December 2022. While scientists aren’t sure why this is happening, they say ice accumulating on Mars’ polar caps or post-glacial rebound could be responsible
Why does Kerala government want to change the state’s name?
‘God's Own Country’ is likely to get a new name. The Kerala Assembly has adopted a resolution, moved by CM Pinarayi Vijayan, to officially rename the state to ‘Keralam’. But what’s the argument behind the move?
Why are three former Indian military chiefs at a security conference in Taiwan?
General Manoj Naravane, Admiral Karambir Singh and former Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria are attending the Ketagalan Forum in Taiwan. Experts warn a full-scale conflict between Beijing and Taipei could have a negative impact on India and its economy
Investing in Sleep: What is sleep banking? Is it a good idea?
Sleep banking entails getting extra sleep the night before a day you know you'll be sleep deprived; it could only take an hour a night. The purpose of sleep banking is to reduce 'sleep debt', which is the discrepancy between how much sleep you need and how much sleep you really get
‘Flying kiss, hug, wink’: Rahul Gandhi and his many Parliament controversies
Rahul Gandhi has landed in a soup just days after being reinstated as a Lok Sabha MP. The BJP has accused the Congress leader of ‘insulting’ women lawmakers by blowing a 'kiss' in Parliament. This is not the first time Gandhi's gestures and speeches have stoked major rows
Why India’s G20 theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ has made China see red
China is playing spoilsport during India’s G20 presidency and has raised objections to the theme of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. Beijing argues that G20 documents could not use the term in official text as it is in Sanskrit, which is not one of the six official languages recognised by the United Nations
What's the history of Attock jail where Pakistan's Imran Khan is currently lodged?
Attock jail is one of 40 prisons operating in Punjab province. Built to hold 539 inmates, it is currently home to at least 804 prisoners. The PTI is claiming that Imran Khan is being mistreated and that his life is in danger
How a mushroom lunch turned into a death trap for an Australian family
A family meal turned into a death trap after three out of five Australian guests lost their lives within a week of consuming toxic death cap mushrooms. While the fourth person is fighting for his life, the fifth is being investigated for the use of wild mushrooms
Miss Universe Indonesia rocked by sexual abuse allegations: Is it time to stop beauty pageants?
Five Miss Universe Indonesia contestants have alleged they were asked by organisers to strip their tops for ‘body checks’ and photographs before the finals on 3 August. Beauty pageants have had a long relationship with controversies, with many questioning their relevancy in the modern age
How office-sharing firm WeWork is going out of business
Is office-sharing going to be a thing of the past? American start-up WeWork is struggling for survival. It warned investors on Tuesday that it might not be in business for much longer
After tomatoes make Indians see red, are onions set to make them cry?
Food inflation is hitting Indians hard. First, it was tomatoes and soon it could be onions. The price for the key kitchen staple is expected to hit Rs 60–70 per kilo in September due to lower sowing during the kharif season and storage-related problems
Why Rajya Sabha MP Ranjan Gogoi’s remarks have stirred a row in Supreme Court
Ranjan Gogoi defending the Delhi services bill in Rajya Sabha on Monday, said the basic structure of the Constitution was debatable. His comments found mention in the Supreme Court the next day, prompting CJI DY Chandrachud to say, ‘Once we cease to be judges, whatever we say is not binding'
What is ‘Brotox’ that is becoming popular among men?
Who doesn't want to look good? More and more men are now concerned about their appearances. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Brotox, a reference to Botox for men, is on the rise. Experts attribute this boom to a reduction in the stigma surrounding men opting for cosmetic procedures
Alaska glacier dam outburst: How risky are floods caused by bursting of snow and ice dams?
People in Alaska's capital have lived for more than a decade with periodic glacial dam outbursts like the one witnessed over the weekend. But the most recent flood was surprising for how quickly the water moved as the surging Mendenhall River devoured riverbanks, undermining and damaging homes
Rahul Gandhi vs PM Modi: Why the Congress MP didn’t initiate the no-confidence motion
It was meant to be a blockbuster of a day in Lok Sabha with newly reinstated MP Rahul Gandhi initiating the debate on the no-confidence motion against PM Modi on Tuesday. However, just minutes before, the Congress leader declined and Gaurav Gogoi took charge. What led to this last-minute change?
First Republican presidential debate: Who's in and who might be out?
With two weeks until the first Republican presidential debate of the 2024 campaign, eight candidates say they have met qualifications to be on stage in Milwaukee. Here's a look at who's locked in and who is not
Climate change will affect your pets. Here's how you can take care of them
Climate change will harm animals both wild and domesticated, including pets. Here's a a look at how various types of pets will fare in a warming world – and how we can help them